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“Your platform isn’t large enough.” The pretty blonde editor closed my proposal and handed it back to me with a small smile.

I attempted to smile back, thanked her for her time, stood up, held back the tears, and walked out of the room as gracefully as possible. But when I reached the fresh air outside, I wanted to scream.

Ugh! I despised that word, platform—the illusive golden ticket. I refuted this modern publishing precept for big platform with the thoughts . . . but what if a book is amazing? What if an author is really talented? God is a big God! He can do anything.

But now that I’m on the other side of publication with two books recently released, I’ve learned a few things, and I have a better understanding of the importance of platform.

Talent and a unique idea can land you a contract with a small publisher. Many of us don’t care the size, we just want to see our baby in print. (Am I right?) There are small to medium size publishers who will take a chance on a new writer with a small platform. And we are so thankful for them. I’ve been blessed with such publishers.

But after the release of two new books in less than two months, I can tell you that I’m so thankful even for the small platform I started building with the launch of my blog six years ago.

Day in and day out I’ve consistently written to my followers.

I’m so glad I stayed the course and kept on writing even on days when the views were low and no comments or shares surfaced. Honestly, I’ve felt compelled to blog, and I know that God alone has been behind that grace to do so. In the consistency, perhaps the monotony, I’ve gained loyal followers. I have my tribe—a small tribe, but they are mine.

I am proof that everything the industry professionals tell you is true. Platforms sell books. Blogging, speaking, and social media are three venues to build your platform.

Social media is a gift. Yes, it is. We must embrace it as authors in the twenty-first century. But I do give this rule:

Use it socially, not just as a tool to promote your book and blog. We must share others’ joys and concerns, cheer people on, allow people into our lives, and then share our books and articles for the edification of others. Share other author’s books and blogs too. Be social!

I have been amazed by how fast a post about a book’s release can spread through social media simply because your “friends” love you.

I believe they also share about my books because they have become familiar with my writing. They know what to expect because of my blog.

I am so thankful I started working on platform six years ago. It takes time. If an author doesn’t start blogging or social media(ing) until after her book comes out, it’s too late. There’s not been enough time to grow it.

You’ve got to start Now. Start building your platform before the contract, not only because the publishers demand it, but because you will greatly depend on that platform when the time comes for your book to release.

You’re not selling you. You’re sharing the story God gave you to share. He’s given us wonderful tools in this modern era to generously love others across the country and the world with our words. He has called us to employ the written word to bring life to a dying, hurting world.

Build your platform, if not for the industry, for God.

Is there anything in this post that helps you see platform in a new light? Would you add anything from your experience as an author? We would love to hear from you.

Andy Lee is the new author of two books, The Book of Ruth Key Word Study Bible: A 31-Day Journey to Hope and Promise (AMG) and A Mary Like Me: Flawed Yet Called (Leafwood, Spring 2016). She is an inspirational speaker, , blogger, and recovering people pleaser. She is also the mom to three grown children and one kitty named Hank. Andy lives on the coast of North Carolina with her retired soldier-husband. She loves to read, walk on the beach, and get up in the dark before the sun awakes. It’s habit. That’s what happens when you reach the half-a-century mark. Read Andy’s Bible digging and faith encouragement atFindingPurposeBeyondToday.com.

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Comments

Jen From Ocala At 3/12/2016 7:49:59 AM

Thank you, Andy, This is a helpful post. Six years ago? Gulp!

Richard From Jacksonville, FL At 3/11/2016 9:52:46 PM

Andy,
Good encouragement about building the platform. Question: If my book is yet to be published, what do I blog about? Do I talk about the story, plot, characters, their problems, what? Do I give this all away? What, exactly, do publishers want me to talk about? Do I give away everything?